2018 MEETINGS TRENDSETTERS
HOLLY DUCKWORTH
CEO // Leadership Solutions International
SPECIALTIES: Speaking, leadership training
The No. 1 pick generated from our poll of readers, Holly
Duckworth has made quite an impact on the meeting planners
and organizations for which she’s given keynote presentations.
Specializing in mindful leadership, Duckworth has contributed to The New York Times and penned the books Mindful
Leadership: The Stress-Free Guide and the award-winning
Ctrl+Alt+Believe: Reboot Your Association For Success.
SANDY BIBACK
Retired (sort of) // Imagination + Meeting Planners
SPECIALTIES: Anti-human trafficking advocacy
One may not expect to see a retired 35-year meetings industry
veteran on a “trendsetter” list, but Sandy Biback has a hard
time not remaining involved in the industry she loves. Her lat-
est “job” may be her most important yet, as she is a volunteer
leader of the Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking
effort, which enlists hospitality industry workers and others
who travel frequently to engage with law enforcement to pro-
tect and get justice for victims of human trafficking.
planner
supplier
educator
edu c a t o r QUIANA TYSON Chair // Duke Special Event Planners Council SPECIALTIES: Continuing education, event planning While her main job is director of special events at Duke Univer-
sity’s Pratt School of Engineering, Quiana Tyson goes above and
beyond in her role as chair of the Duke Special Event Planners
Council. The group is made up of more than 150 planners
from Duke University and Duke Health and provides continuing
education, offering an annual one-day conference focusing on
vendor relations, guest service and networking.
ERIC KLEIN
Vice President of Culinary–Partner //
Wolfgang Puck Catering
SPECIALTIES: Catering management
“Having grown up in Wolfgang’s kitchen”—L.A.’s Spago—Eric
Klein has been with WPC since 1996, with a roughly 10-year
break in which he led the culinary experience at acclaimed
restaurants, his own steakhouse and Bellagio in Las Vegas. His
most rewarding roles include leading WPC’s Governors Ball at
the Oscars and combating food waste with L.A.’s Chefs to End
Hunger, Dallas’ Equal Heart and other food recovery programs.